Gum Treatment Aftercare

If you have gum disease due to calculus (tartar) buildup on the roots of your teeth under your gums, your dentist in Bayport has probably recommended gum treatment in the form of scaling and/or root planing. While your gums and teeth will be numb for this process, and you will feel no pain throughout, it is important to understand the proper gum treatment aftercare steps to take to help your gums heal and to improve your oral health.

Treat Discomfort with an Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatory Drug

After the anesthetic wears off, you will likely feel some acute discomfort in your gums. You can expect some minor throbbing and aching, which you can treat with over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen.

Brush and Floss as Normal

As part of your gum treatment aftercare, you should brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss at least once per day. You may experience some discomfort when you do this, but this should subside within the first three days after your treatment. Likewise, you may experience some bleeding from your gums, but this too should pass, and you should notice much less bleeding as you continue to brush and floss normally.

If your gums are tender, be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush very gently in circular motions along the gum line. This is very important to avoid further irritation in your gum treatment aftercare.

Changing Appearance of Your Gums

Finally, as you monitor your progress in your gum treatment aftercare, you should notice your gums becoming less red and puffy. As inflammation subsides, they may also shrink up toward your jaw a bit, exposing more of the roots of your teeth than before.